This year, our Bible study will take us through the powerful and hope-filled book of Hebrews. Each month on the 2nd Friday, we’ll discover how its timeless truths strengthen our faith, anchor our hearts, and help us run our race with victory in Christ.

January Introduction

There’s something beautiful about beginning a new year by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Before we take a single step into the months ahead — before the routines settle in, before pressures rise, before plans unfold — Hebrews invites us to start from a place of clarity.

Victory doesn’t begin with effort.
Victory begins with beholding Him.

In Hebrews 1–2, we meet Jesus as both radiant King and faithful Brother — fully God and fully human, supreme and near, powerful and compassionate. These chapters lay the foundation for the entire race we will run this year.

Who Jesus Is: The Radiance of God (Hebrews 1)

Hebrews opens with a breathtaking declaration:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…” (Heb. 1:3)

Jesus is not just a helper or teacher — He is the exact representation of God Himself.

Hebrews 1 reveals the Sevenfold Excellencies of God’s Son — a portrait of His majesty unlike anything else in Scripture:

1. The Established Heir — “whom He appointed heir of all things”
2. The Creator — “through whom He also made the worlds”
3. The Radiance of God’s Glory — the shining forth of God’s very nature
4. The Express Image of His Person — the exact imprint of God’s being
5. The Upholder of All Things — sustaining the universe by His powerful word
6. The Purger of Sins — cleansing us completely through His sacrifice
7. The Seated One — enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on high

This is the Jesus who calls you into this new year. This is the Jesus who runs the race with you.

Before we take one step, Hebrews reminds us: Your confidence is rooted in the greatness of Christ.

Who Jesus Became: Our Faithful Brother (Hebrews 2:1–18)

If Hebrews 1 shows us the majesty of Christ, Hebrews 2 shows us His mercy. After lifting our eyes to His glory, the chapter turns our attention to His incredible nearness and His work on our behalf.

1. Jesus Is Greater Than the Angels (2:1–4)
Because Jesus is superior to angels, the message He brings is even more binding and precious. “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away.” (2:1)

2. Jesus Is Bringing Many Sons and Daughters to Glory (2:5–13)
He didn’t merely rescue us — He is leading us into glory. He calls us brothers and sisters and stands with us, never ashamed, never distant.

3. Jesus Destroyed the Power of Death (2:14–15)
He destroyed “the one who has the power of death — that is, the devil,” and freed us from lifelong slavery to fear. Victory is not just a future hope — it is present freedom.

4. Jesus Helps Us in Temptation (2:16–18)
Because He suffered and was tempted, “He is able to help those who are being tempted.” He doesn’t step back from our weakness — He steps into it with mercy and faithfulness.

RHW Victory Lens

Victory Comes from Seeing Him Clearly

When you see Jesus as He truly is…
– Your fears shrink
– Your identity strengthens
– Your anxiety loosens
– Your striving quiets
– Your steps become steady

Victory is not something you earn. It’s something you receive — and walk in — because Jesus is both:

– Mighty to rule (Heb. 1)
– Mighty to help (Heb. 2)

This is the confidence that carries you into the new year:

You run your race with the King who runs beside you.

Reflection Questions

– Where do I need to see Jesus bigger in my life?
– What fear loses power when I look at Him?
– How does it comfort me to know Jesus is not ashamed of me?
– Where do I need His help today?

Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank You for beginning this new year with me. Help me see Your greatness clearly and Your nearness deeply. Where I am weak, be my strength. Where I am afraid, be my peace. Where I feel unsteady, be my anchor. Thank You for being both my King and my Brother. Teach me to run this race with confidence — because You are with me. Amen.

Before we dive into Hebrews, pause with this worship song, “Same God” by Elevation Worship. It reminds us that the God who delivered, healed, strengthened, and empowered His people in Scripture is the same God who gives us victory today.

Recovery Reframed looks at the deeper reasons why we run to certain behaviors when we’re hurting. Each month, we’ll explore a different struggle and how Christ can help us overcome it. New posts release on the first Friday of every month in 2026.

We all run somewhere when life hurts.

Some women run toward people.
Some run toward food or shopping.
Some run toward behaviors they never talk about out loud.
And some quietly live in cycles of shame, trying to fix themselves while hiding the very places that need healing.

Most of us were never taught why we run.
We only learned how to survive.

The truth is simple and human:

We run to substitutes when our hearts are hurting, lonely, overwhelmed, or afraid.
And most of the time, we don’t even realize we’re doing it.

The Wounds Beneath Our Behaviors

Every woman carries stories she doesn’t tell.

You may carry:

- childhood pain
- family dysfunction
- fear of abandonment
- people-pleasing patterns
- emotional exhaustion
- secrets you’ve never had words for
- responsibilities you never asked for
- faith wounds you don’t know how to name

These wounds don’t make us weak.
They make us human.

And when life gets heavy, our hearts reach for soothing, not sin.
We look for anything—anything—that might quiet the ache.

The behavior is not the problem.
The pain beneath the behavior is.

When Coping Quietly Turns Into Bondage

Most addictions and compulsive behaviors don’t start loudly.
They start quietly.

A glass of wine to relax.
A late-night scroll to escape.
A relationship that fills a void.
A secret habit that numbs shame.
A shopping trip that lifts the mood—just for a moment.
A bite of something comforting at the end of a hard day.
A show, a fantasy, a distraction.

Just a little relief.
Just a few minutes.
Just a break from thinking or feeling.

But over time, what comforts us begins to control us.

And what we ran to for peace becomes another place of stress, guilt, and disappointment.

You’re not alone if you’ve been there.
We all have.

God Doesn’t Shame the Places We Run — He Meets Us There

One of the greatest lies the enemy whispers is:

“If people knew what you struggle with, they’d reject you.”

But Jesus does the opposite.

He moves toward the hurting.
Toward the hiding.
Toward the ashamed.
Toward the brokenhearted.

Psalm 34:18 tells us:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Close.

Not disappointed.
Not distant.
Not disgusted.
Close.

The places we try to hide from Him are the very places He longs to heal.

Recovery Isn’t About Trying Harder — It’s About Letting God In

Many women assume recovery means:

- try harder
- pray more
- stop the behavior
- have more willpower
- get it together
- be a “better Christian”

But recovery in Christ looks different.

Recovery in Christ means:

- letting Jesus into the wounded places
- learning to name our pain
- discovering healthier ways to cope
- receiving grace
- practicing honesty
- accepting support
- walking step by step, not all at once

The behaviors we’ll talk about this year—sexual addiction, relationship addiction, pornography, eating struggles, compulsive spending, substance use, codependency, gambling, social media addiction, and self-harm—are not the enemy.

They are signals.
Signals that something deeper needs comfort, healing, and connection.

God doesn’t heal the symptom first.
He heals the story underneath.

A New Way to See Your Struggle This Year

This year, as you read each column, I want you to remember this:

You are not your struggle.
You are not your behavior.
You are not the worst thing you’ve ever done or the hardest thing you battle.

You are a woman loved by God.
A woman who is learning new rhythms.
A woman who is healing, even if it feels slow.
A woman Jesus calls by name—not by shame.

This year is not about perfection.
It’s about presence.
His presence with you.
Your presence with Him.

One honest month at a time.
One gentle step at a time.

You Don’t Have to Walk Alone

If today’s topic touched a tender place in your story, please know you don’t have to walk this road alone. Healing often grows deeper when we walk with others. A Christ-centered support community like Celebrate Recovery may be a helpful next step. They offer safe groups for women where you will find encouragement, accountability, and hope. Explore locations and resources at: celebraterecovery.com.

A Soft Prayer for Your Heart

Lord Jesus.
I bring You the places I run when I’m hurting.
I bring You the feelings I hide and the struggles I don’t want to admit.
Meet me gently.
Heal the wounds beneath my behaviors.
Show me that You are enough, and that I am safe with You.
Walk with me through each month of this journey.
Thank You that You never shame me—you rescue me, restore me, and stay close to my heart.
Amen.